Fun fact: I never even picked up a self-tanning product until I was well into my 20s. They always seemed fussy and complicated to me, and I never thought I needed them—that is until I booked my first spray tan. I was asked to do it as research for a story I was writing, and even though I was scared I'd look orange and unnatural, I went for it in the name of beauty journalism. When I left and caught a glimpse of myself in my car mirror, I was shocked. The tan looked incredibly natural and even, and instead of looking like I just had a spray tan, I looked healthy and radiant.
It quickly occurred to me that I wanted to look like that all the time. It also occurred to me that I could probably achieve a similar result at home with the help of self-tanning products—some for my face and some for my body. So I opened up Pandora's box and began testing a variety of formulas. Some worked, some didn't, but along the way, I learned two things: I can't stand streaks, and I can't stand the smell of dihydroxyacetone (the active ingredient in self-tanners).
Luckily, after trial and error, I came across a select few formulas that check all the boxes. They don't look orange or unnatural, they don't streak, and they don't smell as strong as other traditional self-tanning products. Keep scrolling!
This vegan formula is one of my all-time favorites. Who What Wear's beauty director, Erin Jahns, introduced me to it. On one fateful day, she walked past me, and I caught a whiff of a sultry santal scent. I immediately questioned her. What perfume is that? As you can imagine, I was shocked to learn it wasn't perfume. It was a self-tanner. She told me I had to try it, so I did.
I was hooked. Not only does it smell amazing, but it's creamy, lightweight, and provides the prettiest golden glow to my skin. Think post-vacation sun-kissed skin. Yep. The best part is I can apply it with my hands. Imagine that—applying a self-tanner with my hands, yet I never see a single streak.
PS: There's a Rosewood scent that's equally as intoxicating as the Santal one.
Pros:
-Easy to blend and apply
-Gradual, buildable color
-Natural-looking glow
-Santal scent
Cons:
-Won't provide as dramatic of a result as other self-tanners
This was the first self-tanning product I ever used post–spray tan, and I've been a loyalist ever since. It has an easy-to-blend formula with a bronze guide color, so I can see exactly where (and how well) I'm applying it. The only downside to that is that it can come off on clothes and sheets. Personally, that's a small price to pay for an even, streak-free tan. I simply wear clothes I don't mind staining or wait a while before getting dressed.
Pros:
-Easy to blend
-Bronze guide color for even application
-Natural-looking glow
-Coconut scent
Cons:
-Bronze guide color can transfer onto sheets and clothing
-Formula requires a tanning mitt: Bondi Sands Self-Tanning Mitt ($6)
Another foaming self-tanner, this one is chock-full of good-for-skin ingredients like lotus extract, raw virgin coconut, mango, fig, and cocoa. Together, they can help hydrate and firm the skin, giving it a boost of potent antioxidants. Meanwhile, the formula gives my skin a natural-looking vacation glow.
Pros:
-Skincare-first formula
-Bronze guide color for even application
-Natural-looking glow
-Mango-guava scent
Cons:
-Bronze guide color can transfer onto sheets and clothing
-Formula requires a tanning mitt: Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Soft Velvet Self Tan Mitt ($11)
When this says streak-free, it means it. It provides an even, golden base of color while treating the skin with ingredients like coconut oil, coffee seed extract, and pomegranate seed extract (oh, how I love a skincare-first tanning formula). It also has a light floral scent, which is a refreshing departure from other self-tanners that either smell like straight-up cleaning supplies or are overly fragranced and make me want to open a window.
Pros:
-Skincare-first formula
-Bronze guide color for even application
-Natural-looking glow
-Light, floral scent
Cons:
-Bronze guide color can transfer onto sheets and clothing
-Formula requires a tanning mitt: Bali Body Luxe Tanning Mitt ($13)
Remember how I said I like self-tanners that have guide color so I know exactly where I'm applying the color? There are only a few products that are exceptions to that rule, and this is one of them. You might think a mist would give a patchy, streaky result, but this gives my skin a totally uniform radiance. It's so easy to use, too. You just spritz it over your skin and blend it with a mitt. The dihydroxyacetone will get to work, while good-for-skin ingredients like green mandarin water, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins C and D provide antioxidant protection and a boost of hydration.
Pros:
-Skincare-first formula
-Natural-looking glow
-Light scent
Cons:
-Lack of bronze guide color makes it slightly less suitable for self-tan novices
-Formula requires a tanning mitt: St.Tropez Double Sided Luxe Tan Applicator Mitt ($9)
When it comes to gradual, buildable tanning formulas, I like this one for its inclusion of antioxidants and moisturizing shea butter. You can apply it daily or every other day to build color. (I tend to apply gradual tanners every third day so I can show some love to my beloved body oils and butters, too.)
Pros:
-Easy to blend and apply
-Gradual, buildable color
-Natural-looking glow
-Light scent
Cons:
-Won't provide as dramatic of a result as other self-tanners
This chic self-tanner is the latest addition to my collection. I love how it has a naturally derived formula made from organic sugar beets, aloe, chamomile, and linden flowers. I also love how it hydrates my skin, never smells overwhelmingly like a self-tanner (even though it is), and gives my skin a gorgeous radiance year-round. The last time I used it, I had three different people compliment me—just sayin'.
Pros:
-Natural formula
-Natural-looking glow
-Light scent
Cons:
-Lack of bronze guide color makes it slightly less suitable for self-tan novices
-Formula requires a tanning brush: Saltyface Body Brush ($30)
This product is designed to work simultaneously as a daily moisturizer and a self-tanner. Ingredients include hydrating hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich blackcurrant seed. The moisturizing and soothing effect is lovely, but pair it with a natural-looking glow, and I'm hooked.
Pros:
-Easy to blend and apply
-Gradual, buildable color
-Natural-looking glow
-Fresh scent
Cons:
-Won't provide as dramatic of a result as other self-tanners
Shop 5 More Self-Tanning Essentials
All you need to remove your self-tanner in no time.
This body polish smooths and polishes my skin without causing irritation.
This body butter is beyond. It's so moisturizing and luxurious.
This hyaluronic acid body serum gives my skin a quick hit of hydration.
This dry body oil won't feel heavy or greasy.
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